Orthopedic device

Abstract

An orthopedic device for the orthotic or prosthetic provision of a patient. The orthopedic device includes a knee joint which has a proximal upper part and a distal lower part arranged pivotably thereon, an ankle joint, a pivoted foot part which can be fastened distally to the ankle joint, and a shin part arranged between the ankle joint and the knee joint. The upper part of the knee joint or a thigh part fastened thereto that can be attached to the patient's body and is coupled with the foot part by a force transfer device, which causes a plantar flexion of the foot part when a knee is flexed.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An orthopedic device, comprising:
 a knee joint, comprising:
 a proximal upper part configured to be fastened to a patient; 
 a distal lower part pivotally connected to the proximal upper part about a knee pivot axis; 
 
 an ankle joint; 
 a foot part connected to the ankle joint; 
 a shin part extending between the ankle joint and the knee joint; 
 a force transmission mechanism connected to the foot part and to the proximal upper part of the knee joint, the force transmission mechanism being operable to provide a plantar flexion of the foot part when the knee joint is flexed, the force transmission mechanism comprising a mechanical coupling mechanism that transmits at least one of tensile force and compressive force, the force transmission mechanism having a control mechanism operable to stop or reverse transmission of the at least one of tensile force and compressive force upon reaching a predetermined knee flexion angle. 
 
     
     
       2. The orthopedic device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the mechanical coupling mechanism comprises a push rod or an articulating rod. 
     
     
       3. The orthopedic device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the mechanical coupling mechanism is mounted to the upper proximal part at a first bearing point positioned proximal of the knee pivot axis, and is mounted to the distal lower part at a second bearing point distal of an ankle pivot axis of the ankle joint. 
     
     
       4. The orthopedic device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the first and second bearing points lie on different medial/lateral sides of a connection line extending between the knee axis and the ankle joint axis. 
     
     
       5. The orthopedic device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein at least the first bearing point is adjustable. 
     
     
       6. The orthopedic device as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the control mechanism is coupled to at least one sensor in order to control a force transmission in accordance with sensor values. 
     
     
       7. The orthopedic device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the mechanical coupling mechanism is designed as an articulated rod or tensioning member. 
     
     
       8. The orthopedic device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the force transmission mechanism blocks a force transmission in a dorsiflexion direction. 
     
     
       9. The orthopedic device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a maximum dorsiflexion position of the foot part is designed to be variably adjustable. 
     
     
       10. The orthopedic device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a restoring device is assigned to the foot part in order to effect a dorsiflexion of the foot part. 
     
     
       11. The orthopedic device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the ankle joint is designed as an elastic joint and exerts a restoring force in the event of an excursion from a starting position. 
     
     
       12. The orthopedic device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one damper is positioned in the ankle joint, the at least one damper counteracting a dorsiflexion. 
     
     
       13. An orthopedic device, comprising:
 a knee joint, comprising:
 a proximal upper part configured to be fastened to a patient; 
 a distal lower part pivotally connected to the proximal upper part about a knee pivot axis; 
 
 an ankle joint; 
 a foot part connected to the ankle joint; 
 a shin part connected to the ankle joint and to the distal lower part; 
 a force transmission mechanism connected to and extending between the foot part and the proximal upper part, the force transmission mechanism comprising a mechanical coupling mechanism in the form of a push rod or an articulating rod, the force transmission mechanism having a control mechanism operable to stop or reverse transmission of a force upon reaching a predetermined knee flexion angle. 
 
     
     
       14. The orthopedic device as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the mechanical coupling mechanism transmits the force, the force including at least one of tensile force and compressive force. 
     
     
       15. The orthopedic device as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the mechanical coupling mechanism is mounted to the proximal upper part at a first bearing point positioned spaced away from the knee pivot axis, and is mounted to the foot part at a second bearing point distal of an ankle pivot axis of the ankle joint. 
     
     
       16. The orthopedic device as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the first and second bearing points lie on different medial/lateral sides of a connection line extending between the knee axis and the ankle joint axis. 
     
     
       17. The orthopedic device as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein at least the first bearing point is adjustable relative to the proximal upper part. 
     
     
       18. The orthopedic device as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the force transmission mechanism is operable to provide a plantar flexion of the foot part when the knee joint is flexed. 
     
     
       19. The orthopedic device as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the force transmission mechanism is connected to the proximal upper part of the knee joint at a location spaced proximal of the knee pivot axis.